The Assembly House

One of the most glorious examples of Georgian assembly rooms architecture in the country.

A Georgian grade I listed building, the Assembly House was originally the site of a 13th century hospital and a secular college and church for priests, who lived a communal life in the surrounding hall and cloisters.

The buildings were surrendered to the crown and destroyed. The Hobart Family built a townhouse on the site. It became known as Chapel of the Field House.

The house as it stands today was designed by the architect Thomas Ivory. It was used as a ‘House of Assemblies' for the gentry of Norwich, and hosted a wealth of events and famous people.

The building was later used by Norwich High School for Girls, and, during the Second World War, Oliver Messel, appointed by the War Office used the building as a camouflage school. He went on to become a famous costume and theatrical set designer.

After the war the house underwent considerable restoration programme, encouraged by Messel and funded by leading Norwich shoe manufacturer, H. J. Sexton. The house was reopened once again as a centre for entertainment and the arts.

Today, the Assembly House is a registered arts charity that continues to support a varied visual and performing arts programme. It also hosts weddings, conferences and exhibitions.

Venue Type:

Heritage site

Resources listed here may include websites, bookable tours and workshops, books, loan boxes and more. You may need to scroll down or click on headers to see them all.

Paper-based and downloads

Assembly House education pack - General Introduction

This Assembly House education pack is intended to support a visit to the site, but can also be used as a standalone resource, intended to enrich the curriculum. It can be adapted across the Key Stages and is intended to provide background and a focussed starting point for the investigation of the Assembly House.The history, art and architecture of the Assembly House and the people connected to it can all inspire creative responses in various forms. The building and both its past and present uses can also link directly with the citizenship agenda.

Creator

Written by Saul Penfold and designed by Isobel Simons Educational Resource Design.

Funded by Norwich HEART as part of their Norwich 12 project (www.norwich12.co.uk).

How to obtain

If you would like a free electronic copy of the education pack, please call HEART on 01603 305575.

Paper-based and downloads

Assembly House education pack - Key Stage 5 Business Studies

This Assembly House education pack is designed to serve as a case study to prepare KS 5 Business Studies students to prepare for the areas of operations, finance and marketing. The aim of the visit is to produce a marketing proposal to launch a new activity for the building.Through analysis of secondary data, students will be guided towards identifying a new customer base that could be encouraged to use the Assembly House. After a tour of the facilties, the students will interview Assembly House personnel before conducting a SWOT Analysis, a marketing proposal and an oral or written presentation.

Creator

Written by Jonathan Hooton and designed by Isobel Simons Educational Resource Design.

Funded by Norwich HEART as part of their Norwich 12 project (www.norwich12.co.uk).

How to obtain

If you would like a free electronic copy of the education pack, please call HEART on 01603 305575.

Paper-based and downloads

Assembly House education pack - Key Stage 5 English Literature

This Assembly House education pack is aimed at teachers of Key Stage 5 English Literature.The pack has been designed to help students demonstrate understanding of the significance and influence of the contexts in which literary texts are written and received. By the end of the session pupils should have explored: The rules and etiquette expected at an assembly dance; The problems of private relationships pursued in public settings; The way that surroundings and expectations influence the behaviour of the characters in Regency and early Victorian novels.

Creator

Written by Jonathan Hooton and designed by Isobel Simons Educational Resource Design.

Funded by Norwich HEART as part of their Norwich 12 project (www.norwich12.co.uk).

How to obtain

If you would like a free electronic copy of the education pack, please call HEART on 01603 305575.

Paper-based and downloads

Assembly House education pack - KS 2-3 History and English

The aim of this pack is to provide an introduction to the characters and customs that made the Georgian assembly such a unique and vivid part of British cultural history.The pack is divided into five parts, each of which deals with a different aspect of the assemblies. Each part can be adapted to be used either in the classroom, before or after your visit, or as the basis for activities at the House itself. You can choose to do one or all of the activities, in any order.

Creator

Written and designed by Isobel Simons Educational Resource Design.

Funded by Norwich HEART as part of their Norwich 12 project (www.norwich12.co.uk).

How to obtain

If you would like a free electronic copy of the education pack, please call HEART on 01603 305575.

Website

E-mail

Telephone

01603 626402

Fax

01603 632468

All information is drawn from or provided by the venues themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.